Short stature and lung transplantation

What is it about?

In the United States, adult lung transplant candidates of short stature experience a lower rate of lung transplantation and higher rates of death and respiratory failure while awaiting transplantation independent of their priority for lung transplantation, sex, or center volume.

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Why is it important?

Adults of shorter stature should be referred early for lung transplantation, since their waiting times may be longer. Transplant centers might consider accepting "oversized" lungs for shorter candidates to decrease waiting times. Policymakers should consider altering allocation policy to ameliorate this disparity.